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Daeva #2
Origin of Darkness
The traitors within Rachat have been exposed, and with the city's leadership faltering, a change is on the horizon—a shift in beliefs the vampires hope will signal the start of acceptance toward their kind. For Ash, a former-soldier in the Silver Dawn's war of hate, these adjustments are more than personal.
As he comes to terms with all he has lost, Ash must confront the demons of his past and visions of darkness now invading his sleep. When the nightmares manifest in the real world, he discovers there's more to the dreams than he would like to believe.
Now Ash must make a choice. But how far will he go to keep those he cares about from harm? And can a lie truly shield the one he loves, or is it merely to protect himself?
As he comes to terms with all he has lost, Ash must confront the demons of his past and visions of darkness now invading his sleep. When the nightmares manifest in the real world, he discovers there's more to the dreams than he would like to believe.
Now Ash must make a choice. But how far will he go to keep those he cares about from harm? And can a lie truly shield the one he loves, or is it merely to protect himself?
330 pages, ebook
First published August 17, 2012
1 person is currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Daniel A. Kaine
9 books127 followersDaniel Alexander Kaine is a writer of gay fiction, who is proud of his British-ness and correct spelling of doughnuts.
Born and raised in the northeast of England, Daniel found himself struggling for work after graduating university with a degree in Applied Biology. It was at this time he stumbled upon fan-fiction, and decided to try his hand at writing one of his own.
Since then, Daniel has gone on to write original fiction, preferring the hard, gritty nature of serial killers, vampires, and dystopian realities.
When not writing, Daniel enjoys a variety of activities, including reading, running, music, going to the gym, and playing video games.
Daniel lives with his four loveable furballs - Mik, Ash, Spidey, and Flash - and one very greedy leopard gecko named Harry.
Born and raised in the northeast of England, Daniel found himself struggling for work after graduating university with a degree in Applied Biology. It was at this time he stumbled upon fan-fiction, and decided to try his hand at writing one of his own.
Since then, Daniel has gone on to write original fiction, preferring the hard, gritty nature of serial killers, vampires, and dystopian realities.
When not writing, Daniel enjoys a variety of activities, including reading, running, music, going to the gym, and playing video games.
Daniel lives with his four loveable furballs - Mik, Ash, Spidey, and Flash - and one very greedy leopard gecko named Harry.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 21, 2012
Dear Mr. Kaine ... if you read this review somehow and you hear a wailing scream in the background, rest assured, I'm not killing anyone. It's just my reaction to your FRICKIN' CLIFFHANGER!!!! *AAAAAGHH!!!** Now I have to wait until 2013 to find out what happens?!? So not fair!!
Anyway, a recap of the book, for my personal memory purpose. As the nature of RECAP, it contains major spoiler for the whole book. Don't click if you don't want to know. You've been warned.
()
I enjoy Ash's point of view -- having three bloodlines running inside of him: cryomancer, empath, and day-walker (since his Sire is Violet); makes up for some interesting show of power. I like discovering the story behind the darkness, how it deals with demons and mortal summoning it.
I like the characters, including the new ones. The writing is against smooth, the pace is pretty quick. There's a new development in Ash and Mik's relationship (), which I think will play a significant role in book #3, after that bloody cliffhanger.
If I have complains ... the part where Ash is living other people's memory is written without a 'sign' (like written in italic, for example), so the sudden switch of perspective throws me off a couple of time.
ALSO, the part where Ash leaves Mik and his friends for awhile because Ash thinks that it's the best thing to do in order to protect them is a plot that has been overused when it comes to urban fantasy series -- you know, the "lone wolf" or "lone hero" kind of thing. Sometimes I get tired of it, because in the end, it is always shown that fighting evil together is better than fighting it alone, right?
A worthy sequel, Mr. Kaine. Now excuse me while I'm seething over the cliffhanger...
Anyway, a recap of the book, for my personal memory purpose. As the nature of RECAP, it contains major spoiler for the whole book. Don't click if you don't want to know. You've been warned.
()
I enjoy Ash's point of view -- having three bloodlines running inside of him: cryomancer, empath, and day-walker (since his Sire is Violet); makes up for some interesting show of power. I like discovering the story behind the darkness, how it deals with demons and mortal summoning it.
I like the characters, including the new ones. The writing is against smooth, the pace is pretty quick. There's a new development in Ash and Mik's relationship (), which I think will play a significant role in book #3, after that bloody cliffhanger.
If I have complains ... the part where Ash is living other people's memory is written without a 'sign' (like written in italic, for example), so the sudden switch of perspective throws me off a couple of time.
ALSO, the part where Ash leaves Mik and his friends for awhile because Ash thinks that it's the best thing to do in order to protect them is a plot that has been overused when it comes to urban fantasy series -- you know, the "lone wolf" or "lone hero" kind of thing. Sometimes I get tired of it, because in the end, it is always shown that fighting evil together is better than fighting it alone, right?
A worthy sequel, Mr. Kaine. Now excuse me while I'm seething over the cliffhanger...
August 30, 2014
4.5 Stars
Anyone who was snared by the story, the world created and the characters in the first book of this series will be pleased by this new addition. Told from Ash's POV, a whole different set of challenges for most of the characters I came to care about, as well as some new equally engaging characters, to deal with. I am relieved that I didn't find the ending as traumatic a cliffhanger like I feared and am patiently (debatable) waiting for the next one.
Anyone who was snared by the story, the world created and the characters in the first book of this series will be pleased by this new addition. Told from Ash's POV, a whole different set of challenges for most of the characters I came to care about, as well as some new equally engaging characters, to deal with. I am relieved that I didn't find the ending as traumatic a cliffhanger like I feared and am patiently (debatable) waiting for the next one.
December 20, 2013
3.5 Stars
This sequel is told from Ash's perspective. He is guilt ridden over the choices he's made in the past, which he believes resulted in too much harm to those he loves. As he comes to terms with all he has lost, Ash must confront the demons of his past. At the same time, he's forced on a mission from which he may not return.
This one was love/hate for me. I liked revisiting with Mik, Ash, Daniel, Sebastian, etc. Ash's guilt-ridden conscience was a little over the top at times, especially when he played martyr. I hated that .
Beware the cliffhanger at the end following the revelation of yet another Ash screw-up ()
Bottom line: I'll read the rest of the series but I'm not dying to do it.
This sequel is told from Ash's perspective. He is guilt ridden over the choices he's made in the past, which he believes resulted in too much harm to those he loves. As he comes to terms with all he has lost, Ash must confront the demons of his past. At the same time, he's forced on a mission from which he may not return.
This one was love/hate for me. I liked revisiting with Mik, Ash, Daniel, Sebastian, etc. Ash's guilt-ridden conscience was a little over the top at times, especially when he played martyr. I hated that .
Beware the cliffhanger at the end following the revelation of yet another Ash screw-up ()
Bottom line: I'll read the rest of the series but I'm not dying to do it.
December 23, 2012
3,5 stars.
I loved the first installment and the whole world-building in it. I loved the characters and the writing and the whole story. In this second books in the series, the 1st person narrator is Ash. It starts with him coming to as a Vampire. He joins Mik, Violet and their "motley crew" and they travel to Calais. A mysterious womean invades Ash's dreams, and a dramatic development including demons and dreams of hell and torture (plus some new allies) ensues. The troup has to unearth a mysterious weapon to defeat the darkness. The plot seemd quite complicated to me and some cliches (e.g. love stronger than hate) I didn't appreciate much, as they were more or less thrown in the reader's face.
There was only small personal development, especially regarding Mik's and Ash's relationship. It felt more like a fantasy adventure, but it was missing the best part of the first installment: the feelings, the slow building between them, the back and forth, the whole romantic love and drama. There was some of that in here too, but it was not as touching or special as in the first part.
It ended with a cliff hanger, so I will wait for the next one to redeem the series for me.
I loved the first installment and the whole world-building in it. I loved the characters and the writing and the whole story. In this second books in the series, the 1st person narrator is Ash. It starts with him coming to as a Vampire. He joins Mik, Violet and their "motley crew" and they travel to Calais. A mysterious womean invades Ash's dreams, and a dramatic development including demons and dreams of hell and torture (plus some new allies) ensues. The troup has to unearth a mysterious weapon to defeat the darkness. The plot seemd quite complicated to me and some cliches (e.g. love stronger than hate) I didn't appreciate much, as they were more or less thrown in the reader's face.
There was only small personal development, especially regarding Mik's and Ash's relationship. It felt more like a fantasy adventure, but it was missing the best part of the first installment: the feelings, the slow building between them, the back and forth, the whole romantic love and drama. There was some of that in here too, but it was not as touching or special as in the first part.
It ended with a cliff hanger, so I will wait for the next one to redeem the series for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2015
Oh, man! This was a good read. I soooo enjoyed the first book but this one is just as good if shorter;) Mik and Ash are back and this time the focus is Ash. We finally see things from Ash's POV. This is an interesting difference to the story. Ash has so much guilt and it just smothers him. Mik is his light. The two have a very rocky romance and all they go through in the story just makes it that much more difficult for the two. Now I have to wait for the third book to get more of the two:( Write quickly Daniel;)
October 20, 2012
4.25 stars
I really enjoyed this book. I found the writing to be much tighter than the first and, in my opinion, the reactions and motivations of the characters felt very true to themselves. Great second book to the series, and with that cliffhanger I can't wait for the next one!
I really enjoyed this book. I found the writing to be much tighter than the first and, in my opinion, the reactions and motivations of the characters felt very true to themselves. Great second book to the series, and with that cliffhanger I can't wait for the next one!
October 20, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. I seem to have "connected" with the charactors in this series more than other book. Look forward to the next one!
November 6, 2012
Exhausting but good.
November 14, 2012
OMG Daniel Kaine you are evil!
May 26, 2025
So I've had this sitting on my TBR for an age because I read the original book so long ago and added the sequel. I'm both glad I read this and frustrated as, far warning, this book does end on a cliffhanger and the rest of the series has never been written. I certainly would not be upset if the author ever came back to writing this one.
There is a lot of failure to communicate going on here. Nobody seems to like to tell anyone anything, which was increasingly frustrating here as Ash is supposed to be an empath and as such should be able to do a better job navigating feelings. He seems to be oblivious to what his actions will do to the people around him.
Still this did take us deeper into the world and we have a new dark twist wrecking havoc on Ash's piece of mind. He and Mik aren't allowed any sort of peace as of yet.
There is a lot of failure to communicate going on here. Nobody seems to like to tell anyone anything, which was increasingly frustrating here as Ash is supposed to be an empath and as such should be able to do a better job navigating feelings. He seems to be oblivious to what his actions will do to the people around him.
Still this did take us deeper into the world and we have a new dark twist wrecking havoc on Ash's piece of mind. He and Mik aren't allowed any sort of peace as of yet.
September 1, 2024
First and foremost...... I loved the story line... I read both books in less than 24hrs...
WHERE IS BOOK 3!!! I'VE LOOKED EVERYWHERE ONLINE....
Website is no longer available, Twitter (X) handle is a dead end..... did something happen to Mr. Kaine?
I want Mik and Ash to be back together. I need that 3rd book!!!!! Now I know how it feels to be Ash pining for Mik's blood when Ash is staring at Miks neck line!
WHERE IS BOOK 3!!! I'VE LOOKED EVERYWHERE ONLINE....
Website is no longer available, Twitter (X) handle is a dead end..... did something happen to Mr. Kaine?
I want Mik and Ash to be back together. I need that 3rd book!!!!! Now I know how it feels to be Ash pining for Mik's blood when Ash is staring at Miks neck line!
November 30, 2025
Book two is written from Ash's POV and he is fighting his belief's as Mikhail did in the 1st book. Once his friend disappears he is starting to realize he may have been lied to.
July 3, 2014
I agree with others when they say that they wanted to like this, and the previous book. Yes, it definitely needs a sympathetic editor to catch the many typos and grammatical mistakes, as well as question the plot line and characters. For example, I never quite bought into Ash's and Mik's relationship. What was it that kept them together? There was way too much pouting and not enough shown of the good aspects (aside from sex and even that got tiresome). Also, Khalidra - her character development didn't make sense. I don't want to give anything away, but she changed for no apparent reason! How did that happen and why all the dramatic nightmares beforehand? Too overwrought.
I did want to see what happened and it's a decent plot idea, but it needs major editing by the writer to be an enjoyable read. I was speed reading the second half, just because it didn't have energy for me as a reader any more but I wanted to see how the author was going to end it all. And then it doesn't really end, so I suppose book 3 is on it's way. Oh dear.
I did want to see what happened and it's a decent plot idea, but it needs major editing by the writer to be an enjoyable read. I was speed reading the second half, just because it didn't have energy for me as a reader any more but I wanted to see how the author was going to end it all. And then it doesn't really end, so I suppose book 3 is on it's way. Oh dear.
December 24, 2016
Were is book 3? I really need book 3.
Great secondary characters. There were a few additions this book.
My heart broke just a little over one of the side characters.
Loved getting Ash's pov. The story picks up just before the ending of book 1. He and Mik hit a few bumps in the road. Ash gets heaped with guilt, and fear that he could, and does hurt Mik, no matter how much he doesn't want to.
I liked finding out more about Nate.
I look forward to the next book release.
Great secondary characters. There were a few additions this book.
My heart broke just a little over one of the side characters.
Loved getting Ash's pov. The story picks up just before the ending of book 1. He and Mik hit a few bumps in the road. Ash gets heaped with guilt, and fear that he could, and does hurt Mik, no matter how much he doesn't want to.
I liked finding out more about Nate.
I look forward to the next book release.
September 10, 2012
3.5 stars
Want to read
May 2, 2012Can't wait until November! Can't we fast forward the time or something? Anyone?
December 25, 2012
I love this series! Such great world building - the characters have such depth, I feel like I've known them forever. Highly recommend this series!
November 19, 2014
Can't believe book 3 isn't out yet! Now! Now! Now!
July 1, 2016
A little too melodramatic for my taste
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews